IMPHAL, Jun 23: Even as a 48-hour bandh demanding revocation of wanted tag announced on former JCILPS convenor Khomdram Ratan is currently on, the publicity in-charge of JCILPS Sagolband New Cachar road unit has been arrested along with explosive materials in the wee hours today. The arrested person has been identified as Nameirakpam Mangi alias Yaima (48) s/o Kondum of Yurembam Mayai Leikai. He is said to be a member of National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM). Police brought him before the media along with the seized items at the conference hall of Imphal West district police today. Imphal West SP Dr AK Jhalajit said that under the joint supervision of Thokchom Vikramjit, Additional SP Imphal West, Krishnatombi, DSP Imphal West commando and Soibam Sachidananda, Dy SP Imphal West commando, a combined security team of police and troops of 12 Bihar Regiment raided Mangi’s house at around 3 am acting on a specific intelligence input.
He was arrested after the security team seized 27 Gelatine sticks, 50 detonators, two 6-feet long non-electric safety fuses, two mobile phones and one Honda Activa during the raid, the SP said.
Dr Jhalajit stated that Mangi revealed that he is working under the direct command of NRFM commander Binodon alias Kishan alias Wangba and Dhabalo alias Paikhomba. He further said that Mangi runs a bomb factory at his house for the outfit and the required funds for the said factory are supplied by the two NRFM commanders. The SP further said that Mangi had revealed that bombs assembled by him were used in the blasts which occurred at the residence of Brahmacharimayum Birama-ngol of Uripok Yambem Leikai on February 23, Ima Kerosene Agency, Toupokpi Maning Leikai on March 17, near the residence of Thokchom (N) Laishram (O) Phullobati w/o Ibopishak on June 7, near telecom tower located at the residential complex of Leitanthem Sanatomba Singh (37) of Thoubal Pakhangkhong Leirak on June 7, Kodompokpi Lamkhai on June 9 and residence of Gurumayum Dhanajit Sharma of Sagolband Ingudam Leirak on June 21. Dr Jhalajit further said that surprisingly Mangi had also revealed that he is the publicity in-charge of JCILPS Sagolband New Cachar road unit. The SP said that Mangi took active role in carrying out different pro-ILPS agitations on NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road), also known as New Cachar road. The SP further said that Mangi is the tenth NRFM cadre arrested by the police so far.
Nine other cadres who had already been arrested earlier have been identified as Nameirakpam Dolen (41) s/o (L) N Tombi of Nongada Makha Leikai (arrested on February 16, 2015), Yogesh Gurung alias Udit (19) s/o Durga Gurung of Pangei Nepali Basti (arrested on February 27, 2015), Takhelmayum Ajit Meitei alias Ibomcha alias Lakpa (27) s/o T Kanto Meitei of Nongren Mayai Leikai, Nongmeikapam Sanjoy alias Amuba (47) s/o (L) N Brajabidhu of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai, Awangta-bam Dilipkumar (35) s/o A Thambangou of Kamarkandi village, Tripura, Nongthom-bam Lakhel alias Chamba (45) s/o N Nodiya of Ghari Makha Leikai, Laishram Deban (40) s/o (L) L Bimol of Chalou Lamlai bazar and Waikhom Pradip alias Abung (31) s/o W Ibomcha of Seijang Awang Leikai.
The SP further said that the police is likely to nab some more cadres of the outfit in a couple of days. On the other hand, a reliable source said that the explosive materials seized from Mangi’s residence were brought from Sugnu some months back. Another source said that Mangi contested Pradhan election at Yurembam GP in the last Gram Panchayat election.